TechnologicVehicles

As we expected then it is indeed a concept car for the B segment, a vehicle economic, both in terms of consumption and sale price with CO2 emissions 50% below the segment average as the Toyota Aqua.

-Weight reduction

-Optimized aerodynamics

-Powertrain efficiency 

-Optimal thermal management

-Minimum electric consumption

A concept lighter than a 3 doors Toyota Aygo but with enough space inside for 5 people and economically viable with the use of simple and inexpensive materials.

To be continued

Here is a new brand in our directory of electric vehicles, two models, the EVC R3 and R7 that will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show.

The Czech company converts internal combustion car to electric ones using a local “product” the vehicles Skoda. The R3 and R7 models are based on the Skoda Roomster but other models of the brand are and will be available shortly.

Note also that the company is has setup a process of battery recycling in partnership with the company REMA Batteries. Unfortunately no price is announced...

 

Imagined by the billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, Yo-Mobile vehicles use a natural resource abundant in Russia, Natural Gas (or CNG)

In addition to this innovative hybrid powertrain (and relatively complex to develop), the Yo Crossover offers interesting features especially designed for cold winters: a timer allows to start your vehicle automatically at a specified time, so the car is ready for use when you need it.

 

Thanks to its batteries the Yo-Crossover can also be a source of electricity.

The Yo CrossOver in figures: 3.5l/100km, 0 to 100kph in 10 seconds and a range of 700km.

Philippe Starck.

A first for the designer, who previously designed all kind of objects and vehicles but no electric car.

 

More information coming soon but for now, here's a first teaser and some comprehensive information on the current Volteis models: available without license (in propulsion) and with license (4WD) that can climb slopes up to 50%!

Project initiated by the company LUMA 5 years ago, the scooter LEMev became a reality thanks to the support of private companies and public authorities.

The LEMev Stream is on sale since the beginning of the year in Spain, its overall performances are comparable to a 125cc (but its acceleration is closer to the one of a 500cc as the 0 to 80kph is reached in just 6 seconds) its maximum speed is announced at 108kph.

 

When needed, you can use the “Boost” function of the LEMev Stream that unleashes the 22hp maximum power (peak) of the electric motor.

 

To maximize efficiency it features regenerative braking, its 4kWh LiFePO4 battery pack offers 80km of range.

 

To end the article, here is the figure you are all expecting, its price, € 5350 making it the most affordable 125cc equivalent electric scooter!

After the press release of early December and as the 2012 Geneva Motor Show approaches, we get more details on some of the vehicles that will be presented ...

This is the case of Frank M. Rinderknecht (Rinspeed founder) last vehicle. 

More than a just vehicle, it is a concept, a “backpack” specially designed to make the Smart more versatile, a mini-trailer that adapts to various uses, from made to measure trailers for delivery services, to a high-tech range extender powering the electric motor.

The various features of the Rinspeed Dock + Go receive different names, the pack that particularly interests is the "Energy Pack", adding 63cm and 310kg to the car. Several technological options are possible for the Energy-Pack (a Variohybrid like Mr. Rinderknecht likes to call it), it can feature extra batteries, or a range extender based on a 999cm3 petrol engine or even on a fuel cell!

 

The Smart ED which is used as base for this concept is slightly redesigned with rectangular headlights –very Rinspeed- while its interior could any Smart Tailor Made jealous, with its large screen and a Smart Phone dock on the steering wheel.

An elegant battery indicator is placed close to the rearview mirror.

The Dock + GO is a concept that could potentially be adapted to any kind of car.

The other feature of the Dock + GO is called "Space-box".

With less than 100g/km (99g/km) announced for the BMW 116d Edition Efficient Dynamics, the compact hybrids would better worry (Honda Jazz/Fit, Lexus CT200h, Hybrid Auris and soon the Yaris).

 

After the 3 Series - 320d Efficient Dynamics (163hp for 109g/km) - BMW developed the greenest diesel model of the brand, the 116d Efficient Dynamics.

Here is an overview of the market for efficient diesel compact vehicles that you can find in our ranking of vehicles by emissions :

Ford Focus Econetic 89g for 105hp

Peugeot 308 Hdi-e with 98g/km for 112hp

Golf BlueMotion to 99g for 105hp

Volvo C30 Start/Stop 99g for 115hp

Bmw 116d Efficient Dynamics 99g for 116hp

Opel Astra EcoFlex 99g to 130hp

 

Mugen has announced its participation in the 2012 TT Zero (see the 2011 edition here).

MotoCzysz which got close by just a few tenths of kph from the target set by the government of the Isle of Man – an average speed of 100mph on the track (for 99.6mph reached by MotoCzysz in 2011) to get a £ 10,000 reward - is not ready to be overtaken or even lose its leader seat on the two last editions.

But Honda / Mugen, with more resources and know-how, will for sure be a challenging competitor…

-It also demonstrates Honda’s interest over the electric two-wheeler market via the RC-E that will finally get an engine and a specs sheet, and will allow to test components for future vehicles of the brand, but we can also strart dreaming of a series production for the RC-E!!

Following the Toyota Prius GT300 reveal, Honda answers with an hybrid CR-Z GT300 to participate in the Japanese GT Championship.

 

Last initiative in this strategy, a promotional formula with slighty modified Honda CR-Z the "Honda Sports & Eco Program", 60 events are planned for 2012 on the Suzuka and Twin Ring Motegi race tracks.

 

Initially, it will be sold from October 2012 with a battery that will allow -as planned- 160km, but the 2.0 generation is already in the works with a range doubled for 2014 (350km precisely), thanks to a new generation of batteries; technology undisclosed now, but Renault abandoned its investments in Lithium Manganese since the construction of their plant has been canceled.

 

Although no statement is made in this direction, the other models of Renault ZE’s range should also benefit from this technological advance by 2014 and probably also the Nissan Leaf.

The first units of the Renault Zoé have been built in Flins this month (52 prototypes).

The Zoe will be offered at a price around € 15,000 (certainly after government grant and battery rental excluded).

The press days of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show start on March 5, more information will be revealed then.

Since the beginning of 2012, at least two prototypes of urban electric vehicles have been spotted, but for the moment we honestly have no clue on the manufacturers behind these project, as those unidentified drivable objects are under some heavy camouflage...

After a first car caught testing in Utah, United States, with side windows and front-end curiously reminiscent of Porsche’s lines (it seems way too obvious...).

A new prototype of small electric-car has been spied a few hours ago in winter testing…

 

Are they the prototypes of some concepts revealed during the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show -as series production has been teased by Audi and Opel- or are they totally new projects?

Speculations are open, and hopefully the 2012 Geneva Auto Show will reveal more informations on the prototypes...